Process for preventing the encroachment of termites

ABSTRACT

A process for preventing the re-entry of termites into a structure by constructing a collar around the structure that does not allow the termites to survive when exiting the

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional application No. 61/067,776 file Mar. 1, 2008.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of pest control and more specifically to a non-toxic, environmentally friendly process for preventing the encroachment or reentry of termites from a structure.

Controlling termites has always been a problem. In the past they have been controlled by chemicals that kill them upon contact or which are placed around or within a structure to provide long-term control. In most cases these chemicals are toxic and must be dispensed with care, usually by a professional trained to handle them. Most of the chemicals that are effective for killing termites present danger to the environment. It would be beneficial if a permanent method of controlling termites were developed that does not use harmful chemicals. The currently available compositions for controlling termites are not satisfactory in all respects because comparatively large areas around building structures, or the buildings themselves, usually have to be treated with large amounts of insecticide. That can lead to subsequent problems especially in houses, more especially when persistent pesticides are used. Subterranean termites, which are the most widespread, require warm air and a moist environment. In order that such termites always have access to the necessary moisture, they must have a direct connection to moist soil. Damage by termites that are active underground is almost always associated with damage to wood.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,264,796 describe the use of treated wood to prevent damage by termites. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,282,212, 7,157,078, 6,875,440 all are examples of using a pesticide to control termites. U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,051 describe the use of a multi-layer barrier containing pesticide to control termites.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,488,523, 7,464,499, and RE39,223 all describe the use of barriers to prevent the encroachment of termites into a structure.

None of these described the approach of the present invention that is to prevent termites from reentering a structure when they leave to obtain water. The present invention allows for a simple means of controlling termites or their eggs that are already within a structure without the use of harmful pesticides.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved method for termite control that does not require toxic or environmentally harmful chemicals.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for termite control that is permanent and does not require retreatment.

Another object is to provide a method of controlling the termites that are already inside a structure.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

Termites like the darkness. When they are nesting in a structure, eventually they need water. They will tunnel vertically to find water however if they cannot find water they will travel horizontally outside the structure to seek water from the soil around the perimeter. Unexpectedly it has been found that exposure to light for more than three hours will disorient the termite and it will die from dehydration before being able to find water and return to the darkness. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a process for preventing the re-entry of termites into a structure by constructing a collar around the structure that does not allow the termites to survive when exiting the structure to seek water. The collar is composed of any material capable of surviving exposure to the elements. Nonexclusive examples of the material of construction include but are not restricted to metal, plastic or concrete. The collar should be at least two inches wide preferably 6 inches or more wide. This has been found to provide enough barrier to the termites reaching water from outside the perimeter of the structure so that become dehydrated and die. The collar must be pitched to not allow any water to collect on it or to drain back to the structure being protected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

The method involves constructing a collar around the base of the entire circumference of a house or other structure where termite protection is desired. The collar is a minimum of 2 inches wide preferably 6 inches wide and is pitched so that no water will collect on it and any water will drain from the intersection of the outside wall of the structure and the collar to the ground. The collar may be constructed of any material that doesn't collect moisture and does not provide food for the termites. These materials include but are not restricted to concrete, plastic, or metal. The collar must in tight contact with the outside wall in order not to provide a gap where the termites may by-pass the collar and enter the ground without traveling across the collar. Termites must transverse the collar in order to get water from the ground. The termites cannot survive the exposure to the light for the time it takes them to transverse the collar and therefore they die from lack of water.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A process for preventing the re-entry of termites into a structure by constructing a collar around the structure that does not allow the termites to survive when exiting the structure to seek water.
 2. The process of claim 1 where the collar is composed of any material capable of surviving exposure to the elements.
 3. The process of claim 1 where the collar is constructed of metal.
 4. The process of claim 1 where the collar is constructed of plastic.
 5. The process of claim 1 where the collar is constructed of concrete.
 6. The process of claim 1 where the collar is at least two inches wide.
 7. The process of claim 1 where the collar is pitched to not allow any water to collect on it or to drain back to the structure being protected. 